Egypt decided to open the border with Gaza in order to ease the travel restrictions imposed to itss residents by Israel, measure adopted to isolate its Islamist Hamas rulers. This action goes along withh Egyptian strategy to improve relations with Palestinians. In fact, it allowed nearly 300 Gazans to enter its territory at the Rafah crossing in the first hour after it opened. Under Egypt's new travel guidelines the Rafah crossing, Hamas-controlled Gaza's only window to the outside world, will operate six days a week instead of five and working hours will be extended by two hours a day. In addition, women, minors and men over 40 no longer require a visa to enter the country, meaning hundreds more passengers will be able to cross every day. Israel has said it hopes Cairo will not heed Hamas demands to allow commercial goods through the crossing, saying it fears arms will be smuggled into the territory 

Source:
http://www.todayszaman.com
http://www.reuters.com
http://www.guardian.co.uk.